First came Tahrir Square then Martyrs’ Square and now we have Revolution Square in Russia. I wonder how many other squares we’re yet to see. When Vladimir Putin declared his intention to once again run for president, I marvelled at how ‘dry’ some people can be. But what struck me more was the calm nature of Russians. There didn’t seem to be major opposition to his plans at the time.
First came Tahrir Square then Martyrs’ Square and now we have Revolution Square in Russia. I wonder how many other squares we’re yet to see. When Vladimir Putin declared his intention to once again run for president, I marvelled at how ‘dry’ some people can be. But what struck me more was the calm nature of Russians. There didn’t seem to be major opposition to his plans at the time.
Of course I know better now after the recent protests. It would be great to see Putin pushed out by protesters to allow a totally new face to take Russia forward. This business of reclaiming the presidency at will or grooming sons, wives and buddies to take over once incumbents bow out should be come to an end. If you decide to hold elections, let them be free and fair and let people express themselves without fear of being slapped with jail sentences.
Which brings me to our neighbours, the DRC. Now, I have to admit that I’m a little biased here. I happen to like Joseph Kabila. Usually, I don’t side with incumbents, mainly because most have spent decades in power and sucked their countries’ coffers dry among other misdeeds. I don’t know if Kabila has done some of those things but I know he has restored some semblance of stability and growth to the DRC. Women, men and children are still being raped, and many others killed by rebel fighters, disease or hunger in a country with some of the biggest mineral deposits in Africa. Still, I believe Kabila will work on these issues if given a little more time.
No disrespect to Étienne Tshisekedi but I’ve just failed to get on his wagon. To borrow a common saying, I just don’t ‘feel’ him. In life, you like some people and dislike others. They don’t have to do anything to annoy you but for some reason, your heart’s just not into it. That’s exactly how I feel about Tshisekedi who I also think is arrogant. As far as I’m concerned, all he has done is fire up an already charged crowd and if the violence escalates, we know who to blame. Good leaders don’t incite violence and division. They respect their opponents and encourage their supporters to do the same, and if they’re dissatisfied with the outcome of an election, they take matters to court, not into their hands.
Moving on to the Saudi clerics who believe women will become more promiscuous if allowed to drive, proof that neither money nor education can buy you common sense. How are these issues related? Just reminds me of that folklore where women weren’t allowed to eat eggs, chicken or take milk! So they would prepare the delicacies only to watch as the man of the house feasted, alone! I always joked that those men were just greedy. I respect women who drive, more so when they worked hard and bought their own cars. I get mad every time a car breaks down or runs out of fuel with a woman at the wheel and the chauvinists go ahead to suggest that women aren’t competent drivers.
Girls are still discouraged from going to school, they must cover up even in 30 plus degree heat, can’t go out unaccompanied or talk to men they’re not related to and so many other don’ts. I can’t end this without reflecting on the young woman who was raped by her cousin who happens to be married. He got away with it while the poor girl got a 12-year sentence for committing adultery. She served two years, with her baby and though she’s been pardoned by Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, there’s a high price to pay. She has to marry the man who raped her!
To be continued...